/apps/enel-x-digital-ecosystem/templates/page-content

Spanish Italian English
Enel X uses AI and satellites for public lighting

Lighting the darkness with AI: Enel X’s solution

Artificial Intelligence and images taken from space can help in public lighting

Published on MAY 17, 2021

Enel X uses satellites to enhance street lighting

How many local councils know exactly how many streetlights they have, where they are, and which ones are not working? It turns out that surprisingly few have that information to hand. At Enel X we are working to fix that, using Artificial Intelligence and satellite technology to come up with the answers required to ensure city streets remain properly lit.  The project is called “ AI & Satellite 4 Public Lighting” and it aims to evaluate the accuracy with which the new method sets out the exact location of lighting poles, how well it performs in distinguishing a lighting pole from another light source, and how well it measures the intensity of the light emitted. This is an innovative use of the latest technology to improve city living.

Sergio Gambacorta
Quote alt

With this complex setup, Enel X is now able to generate accurate data to update the street lamp census map, status of street lamps (lights on or off), bulb technology and brightness correlation with population density by providing useful information at the decision-making level.

Sergio Gambacorta

Project Head

Enel X uses satellites to enhance street lighting

Lit street, nighttime setting.
Traditionally, the information was obtained manually. That involved sending workers out into the area at night to count the number of lights and note down whether they were in working order. An alternative is to drive around in a vehicle fitted with the sort of 360-degree video camera computer map makers use. We estimate that we can do the job using cutting-edge techniques in a fraction of the time – just 10% -- taken for a manual census. It is safer because no human is in the field working at nighttime rates. That all adds up to lower costs for the customer – we estimate a saving of about 40% over a manual census with better results.  Moreover, the technique shows districts where dense populations coincide with dim lighting, offering an opportunity for us to help with improvements. That might call for greater density of lighting poles, and our analysis will help decide where to put them, or simply for brighter, more efficient lighting.

Using models, algorithms

Together with our partner, a small Rome-based company that specializes in the analysis of satellite images, we are developing models and algorithms that will show us how well city lighting systems are working. In short, Enel X is shedding light on the gloom. Our partner brought expertise on satellite image recognition while Enel X provided lighting poles data and know-how, as well as the business model to apply this technology in the most efficient way. The technique has been demonstrated  in three different scenarios: in Chile, Spain and Italy. The solution has been released and Enel X now applies it globally.
Smart City

e-City Solutions

Empowering the smart city revolution, for people and the environment

FIND OUT MORE
Innovation e-City Solutions

Related Stories

Efficient Public Lighting: the solution for La Florida

Efficient Public Lighting: the solution for La Florida

Enel X installed a new generation LED lighting system to improve the energy efficiency of La Florida and cut energy expenditure

e-City Solutions e-City Solutions

Smart Public Lighting: the Solution for São Paulo

Smart Public Lighting: the Solution for São Paulo

Enel X has installed 628 smart lighting points and several solar trees along 14 km of Sao Paolo's cycling trail

e-City Solutions e-City Solutions
Enel X’s smart street furniture

Making waiting useful with smart street furniture

Making waiting useful with smart street furniture

Sustainable transportation is key to the energy transition. Electrification is an opportunity to reshape our cities

e-City Solutions
City Analytics for Smart Cities

The smart city: Enel X and City Analytics

The smart city: Enel X and City Analytics

City Analytics gathers Big Data to produce actionable information for city administrations

Innovation

Enel X, creating new opportunities through our partnerships

Enel X, creating new opportunities through our partnerships

To ensure the energy transition takes place smoothly, industrial ecosystems that create value for customers through cooperation must emerge

Innovation

Enel X’s Successful First Year at CES

Enel X’s Successful First Year at CES

Enel X kicked off 2020 at CES by showcasing our products and services that enable cars, homes, cities, and businesses to operate more sustainably to mitigate environmental impact and embrace the energy revolution

Innovation